Connect Capital selection could bring positive investments to city, 7th District

The City of Milwaukee has been selected to take part in Connect Capital, an initiative that assists communities in attracting and deploying capital in low-income and disinvested areas to improve residents’ health and increase their access to opportunity.

Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, chair of the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, said the selection of Milwaukee by the Center for Community Investment (CCI) is “very positive news” for city and especially for the 7th Aldermanic District.

“As a result of this selection, the Milwaukee Connect Capital team will develop and advance a series of projects to improve health outcomes, access to amenities, and economic opportunities for residents and business in adjacent neighborhoods,” Alderman Rainey said. “Some of the projects will include establishing new green spaces, developing bike and pedestrian trails, and revitalizing commercial corridors.”

Milwaukee was competitively selected as one of six teams to participate in Connect Capital. The other Connect Capital teams are based in Central Appalachia; Coachella Valley, California; Miami, Florida; Richmond, Virginia; and Seattle, Washington. Teams consist of local leaders across a range of sectors and disciplines to address issues identified by residents as critical to the community’s well-being and vitality.

The Milwaukee team includes staff from the Northwest Side Community Development Corp., Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), Department of City Development, Community Development Alliance, Crisol Corridor Business Improvement District, and the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center.

Alderman Rainey said the team will be looking to leverage MMSD’s flood management investments in the 30th St. Corridor and the restoration of the Kinnickinnic River on the south side. “This is especially promising to see what related investments could bring to the 30th Street Corridor, and especially near the MMSD West Basin project at 35th & Congress,” he said. “I’m very excited to see this initiative get underway to help make life quality improvements for our residents.”

With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), Connect Capital provides each team with a range of support including customized coaching, facilitated peer learning, and a two-year, $200,000 grant from RWJF to fund a local staff position dedicated to advancing the team’s work.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.